Barbary macaque

Latin name

Macaca sylvanus

Class

Mammalia

Order

Primates

Family

Cercopithecidae

Conservation status

Endangered

Barbary macaques are Europe’s only species of primate.

They live in large groups and there is usually a matriarch, or dominant female, that oversees the entire group. Where there’s a leader there’s also a second and third in line and within a macaque troop it’s no different as there’s a definite hierarchy, or ranking system.

One thing you’ll notice about macaques is that they don’t seem to have a tail. They actually have what’s known as a ‘vestigial’ tail. This means that over time the macaque has evolved and the tail has all but disappeared as it’s no longer required.

It’s not unusual to see our macaques grooming each other. The reason they do this is to reduce their stress levels and also to strengthen the bonds within the group. Plus, it keeps their fur bug free!

If you see our macaques ‘chattering’ their teeth together, then don’t worry, it’s not a sign of aggression. In fact, it’s the complete opposite, it’s actually them being friendly towards one another and ‘smiling.’

Conservation

Macaques have recently been re-classified from vulnerable to endangered status because roughly three hundred a year are being taken from the wild to be sold as pets. Also, the natural habitat of the macaque is under threat from logging (cutting down trees) and farmers see them as a pest and try to get rid of them.

The macaques you see at Folly Farm were once part of the illegal pet trade and we’re delighted we can play a small part in the conservation of these beautiful primates. On top of this we have supported the Barbary Macaque Awareness and Conservation (BMAC) work in Morocco for a number of years.

You can read about what we’re doing to help macaque conservation here.

Fun facts about the barbary macaque

There are roughly 250 individuals living on the Rock of Gibraltar.

They can live in troops as many as 100.

Their name refers to the Barbary coast of North West Africa.

They are very hardy – liking both dry, hot weather and the cold.

They have large cheek pouches that can hold as much food as their stomachs.

Barbary macaque questions and answers

What do they eat?Mainly plants and all sorts of insects.

How long do they live for?About 20 years.

Do they have any predators?Yes, mainly eagles, leopards and dogs.

Is it just the mum who looks after the babies?It’s not. Macaques actually practice something called ‘alloparenting’. This is where other macaques help look after the baby even if they’re not directly related to them.

We're proud to be members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Our membership means we share knowledge with leading zoos across the UK and Europe, and we learn from them too.